4.4
(44)
1,646
riders
134
rides
Road cycling around Lisdrumliska offers a landscape characterized by gently rolling hills and wide, green fields, providing an accessible cycling experience. The area features relatively quiet roads, allowing for relaxed rides through tranquil countryside. Proximity to the Newry Canal Path provides a traffic-free cycling option, while nearby Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers scenic drives with viewpoints across the region.
Last updated: June 29, 2026
5.0
(1)
39
riders
44.1km
01:57
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4
riders
72.2km
03:07
470m
470m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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4.3
(12)
132
riders
58.4km
02:19
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
64
riders
80.4km
03:22
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
57
riders
56.9km
02:30
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Between the rustling trees along the Newry Canal Towpath, you'll encounter the tranquil ruin of a lock keeper's cottage. Once, this was the proud and bustling heart of the waterway, where the lock keeper stood ready day and night to operate the heavy wooden canal gates for passing barges. Today, only the robust stone walls remain, slowly being reclaimed by nature.
6
0
This largely flat and completely traffic-free path winds through the heart of counties Armagh and Down, along the tranquil waterway that once formed the lifeline for transporting coal to the Irish Sea. As you pedal over the well-maintained asphalt or fine gravel, you'll be surrounded by lush green embankments, historic stone bridges, and the monumental remains of eighteen locks that bridge the elevation difference in the landscape. A mix of smooth asphalt and easily rideable fine gravel, suitable for almost all types of bicycles.
7
0
Quiet canal section south of Poyntzpass, where the towpath runs tightly along the narrow water. The bank is lightly overgrown with low trees and hedges, giving the stretch an intimate, green impression. The water is mostly still, forming a straight line through the open agricultural landscape. An even, traffic-free segment ideal for quiet miles on the towpath.
5
0
The Newry Canal Towpath is a 32-kilometer-long, almost entirely traffic-free green corridor connecting the towns of Portadown and Newry. It follows the towpath of the oldest canal in the British Isles, opened in 1742 to transport coal from County Tyrone to the sea. The Newry Canal Towpath offers an unparalleled cycling experience through the tranquil heart of County Armagh and County Down. This historic route, part of the National Cycle Network Route 9, takes you along a flat and largely asphalted path past fourteen monumental locks and characteristic lock-keeper's cottages. As you follow the waterway, you'll traverse a varied landscape of dense forests and open meadows, passing through welcoming villages like Scarva and Poyntzpass along the way. The path is a haven for wildlife; keep an eye out for kingfishers, swans, and otters that inhabit the reed beds. Whether you cycle the full 32 kilometers or explore just a section, the combination of industrial history and natural beauty makes this one of the absolute gems of Irish cycling routes.
5
0
Nice little cafe in the village of Scarva right alongside the Newry canal towpath, great for brekkie, lunch or just topping up the hydration.
1
0
Hollie Berrie is a good place for refreshments on the route at Scarva
0
1
A great little cafe set in the bike shop, with great coffee and a nice variety of sweet goodies.
0
0
The landscape around Lisdrumliska is characterized by gently rolling hills and wide, green fields. This offers a pleasant and accessible cycling experience without overly challenging climbs, making it suitable for various fitness levels. You'll find relatively quiet roads, allowing for a relaxed ride through tranquil countryside.
There are over 140 road cycling routes available around Lisdrumliska, catering to a wide range of abilities. These include options for easy, moderate, and more challenging rides.
Yes, Lisdrumliska offers several easy routes, with 9 specifically categorized as easy. The Newry Canal Path – Newry Canal Towpath loop from Bessbrook is a great option, providing a peaceful, traffic-free experience through lush green landscapes, ideal for families or those seeking a relaxed ride.
While cycling around Lisdrumliska, you can enjoy views of gently rolling hills and green fields. The area is also close to the Bessbrook Pond, which offers a local loop. For broader scenic vistas, nearby Slieve Gullion Forest Park features a 10km Scenic Forest Drive with spectacular viewpoints across the Ring of Gullion and the Mourne Mountains. You might also encounter the North Cairn of Slieve Gullion or Camlough Lake.
Yes, many of the routes around Lisdrumliska are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. For example, the popular Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Mayobridge loop from Newry offers varied terrain with coastal views and rolling hills in a circular format.
The routes in Lisdrumliska are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 40 reviews. More than 1800 road cyclists have used komoot to explore the varied terrain, often praising the quiet country roads and scenic stretches.
Yes, for more experienced cyclists seeking a challenge, there are 17 difficult routes available. An example is the Climb by Rostrevor Forest – Warrenpoint Shore Road loop from Newry, which covers over 100 km and includes significant elevation gain.
Absolutely. The area is known for its relatively quiet roads, providing a relaxed experience away from heavy traffic. The Newry Canal Path, in particular, offers a dedicated traffic-free cycling experience for almost 25 km, perfect for a peaceful ride.
While specific seasonal data isn't provided, the gently rolling landscapes and quiet roads suggest that spring, summer, and early autumn would be ideal for road cycling, offering pleasant weather and lush scenery. Always check local weather conditions before heading out.
Many routes in the region will pass through or near villages and towns where you can find cafes and pubs. For instance, the Basecamp Coffee – Strandfield Coffee Shop loop from Newry is designed with refreshment stops in mind, indicating that such amenities are accessible along various routes.
The terrain is generally characterized by gently rolling hills. While there are routes with significant climbs for those seeking a challenge, such as the Climb by Rostrevor Forest – Warrenpoint Shore Road loop from Newry with over 740 meters of elevation gain, many routes offer more moderate ascents, like the Gosford Park loop from Newry with around 470 meters of climbing.


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